Peter Dutton is facing mounting criticism over the Defence Force’s mission in flood-ravaged parts of northern NSW, but he maintains he is “not embarrassed”.
The Defence Minister on Tuesday came under fire from Channel 7’s Sunrise host David Koch, who questioned why “ordinary Australians” in Lismore were left to crowdfund for helicopters to drop off supplies to isolated residents while thousands of promised personnel were still not on the ground.
“God help us if we were going to war, we wouldn’t stand a chance if it took this long to get ourselves organised. What’s going on? Why aren’t they there quicker,” Koch asked.
Mr Dutton hit back, saying that 760 ADF personnel were already on the ground, with hundreds more expected to arrive later on Tuesday and up to 5000 to be on the ground by the end of the week.
Koch asked whether Mr Dutton was “embarrassed” that ordinary Australians had been forced to plug gaps left by the lack of personnel in the worst-hit areas by delivering supplies themselves via private dinghies and wading through water to isolated neighbours.
“That’s the Australian spirit. That’s what you and I would do for our neighbours, and that’s what people do in extremes,” Mr Dutton said.
“I’m not embarrassed at how the ADF is going. I’m not going to cop criticism of the ADF.”
A video appearing to show ADF personnel being filmed unloading a trailer has also been widely shared on social media, leading to criticism by some who say a photo opportunity was prioritised over providing assistance.
Mr Dutton said the ADF personnel on the ground had been “embedded” into the emergency services, SES personnel and council workers dealing with the floods.
“It is being well co-ordinated on the ground and I’m not going to cop criticism of these guys and girls who do an amazing job,” Mr Dutton said.
Northern NSW local criticises ADF flood response.
Koch responded by saying he wasn’t criticising the people on the ground but was noting that “there aren’t enough there”.
“Sounds a bit like it,” Mr Dutton interjected before Koch continued.
“Residents are having to do so much themselves. They shouldn’t be puxjmtzywtting their own lives in danger to do that when we have authorities that can do it for them. That’s what we expect,” Koch said.
“Community spirit only goes so far.”
Mr Dutton’s support of the ADF comes after Major-General David Thomae, who is in charge of the effort in Lismore, apologised to the people who “have felt like they hadn’t been supported”.
The Defence Force has also come under fire for not deploying its helicopters to rescue residents impacted by rising floodwaters until it was almost too late.
General Thomae defended the ADF’s response on Monday, saying it had moved in “as soon as weather and conditions allowed”.
“We have to operate in a safe matter. If our aircraft cannot safely operate to get into those locations because of the conditions last week, then that explains part of what you are asking,” he said.
